IMPACT OF DEPRESSION ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN JOS METROPOLIS OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Depression on Secondary School students' Academic Achievement in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria and its implications for counselling. The study used descriptive Survey design. A population of 651 private and public secondary school students were used and a sample of 200 respondents was selected using simple random, stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Two instruments were used to generate the relevant data in the study. They were adopted and modified, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and researcher designed instrument titled “Academic Achievement Test (AAT) ”were used as instruments for data collection. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was ascertained by experts in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Jos and its reliability of internal consistency was determined using Cronbach Alpha method. Mean and Standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. ANOVA and t-test analysis were used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed a significant relationship between depression and academic achievement of students in Jos Metropolis, Plateau state Nigeria, that there is no significant class difference in depression and in academic achievement of male and female secondary school students in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study concluded that depression can have negative impact on the academic achievement of secondary school students in Jos Metropolis, Plateau state Nigeria. According to the study, depression is universally linked to perceived poor academic performance and students experiencing academic failure often report feelings of anger, shame, disappointment and hopelessness. The study recommended that depression should be seen as a disease, and awareness should be raised to sensitize the population on early recognition of signs, appropriate support and therapy, and subsequent rehabilitation of depressed individuals. Professional school psychologists and counsellors should be involved in rendering psychological support, and coping strategies should be taught in secondary schools to help teachers and students recognize both onset and symptoms of depression.